Water treating apparatus



Sept. 22, 1942. w, msc 2,296,713 v WATER TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l 22, 1942- w. HfHlNSCH 2,296,713

I WATER TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 damaged if run Patented Sept- UNI-TED )ST'AT Walter H. Hinsch,

poration of Illinois wa'raa 'raaa'rme arrsaa'rus Chicago, 111.; assignor to Dearborn Chemical Company. Chi

cago, 111., a cor- Application June 21, 1940, Serial No. 341,651

6 Claims. (cl. 210-29) so soon as the pump starts to function for its This invention relates to improvements in water treating apparatus and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in 'the appended claims. The invention is more especially concerned with water treating apparatus drawn through a pipe, from a supply thereof, by the suction action of the water handled by a pump forming a part of the apparatus and then mixed with that water to make boiler use.

There is a definite trendon the part of railroads to convert at least some of their wayside water stations to the so-called electric automatic type in which the control for the water supply pump, normally of the centrifugal type, is efiected through a float controlled switch or a pressure controlled switch. When such wayside stations have a limited or low consumption of reagent and include a pump of the centrifugal type, the treatment of the water presents a problem. While other apparatus may solve the problem, the use of such appara which is relatively expensive, is not economically justifled or practical at stations having a low consumption of such reagent.

In apparatus of this kind that includes a centrifugal pump, it is possible for the inlet end of the feeder pipe in the reagent supply to become uncovered because of the drop in the level of the wherein treating reagent is it suitable for circuit embodied in the apparatus and also shows the invention,

reagent due'to consumption thereof. when said end of the feeder. pipe becomes uncovered and admits air thereinto, such a condition causes the pump to become air-bound. When air-bound, the pump will move but a small amount of water if any at all. I

for an extended period of time in an air-bound condition.

One of the objects or the present invention is to provide apparatus of this kind, wherein the reagent feeder pipe is automatically closed at a predetermined low level of reagent in the sup- P y, impossible for air to pass through-said pipe to enter the pump of the apparatus and cause it to become air-bound. I

Another object f the invention is to provide means in an apparatus of this kind which, while simple and inexpensive, is fully automatic and is emcient and reliable in operation for'its intended purpose. Y Also, it is an object-of the invention to provide means in an apparatus of this kind wherein the reagent line is closed when the pump of the apparatus is stopped and is automatically opened Also, the pump may become.

due to the consumption thereof, so that it is' ment with the graduated guide bar I2.

intended purpose.

The above mentioned objects of the invention,

together with the advantages fully appear as the specificaas well as 'others, thereof, will more tion proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a' view in side elevation of a water treating apparatus embodying the preferred form of the invention, the tank of the apparatus for holding the reagent supply being shown partly in vertical section for illustrative purposes;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus appearing in-Fig. l; e

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical a certain valve that is in vertical section and scribed, and

Fig. 4 is a view scale, of certain'parts appearing in the upper right hand corner of Fig. 1, with a certain switch therein, shown partly in vertical section better to disclosethe invention.

Referring now in detafl to that embodimentof illustrated in the accompanying drawings: 5 indicates an upright cylindrical tank forming a part of the apparatus. ,This tank included in said circuit, which will later be dewhich may be made of sheet metal, is adapted to contain a supply of water treating reagent in fluid form. It has a closed top 6 in which is provided a door I by which suitable chemicals may be introduced into the tank, to be mixed with water therein, to provide the fluid water treating reagent. If desired, the tank may include suitable means for agitating the chemicals and the water in the tank. However, as the agitating means mentioned forms no part of the present invention, it is not illustrated herein.

A pulley or sheave 8 is mounted on the closed top 6 at a point near the periphery thereof. A cable or other flexiblemember 9 is trained over the top of said pulley with one end entering the tank and there carrying a end of said cable is attached to an indicator ii that slides on a vertically. disposed graduated guide. bar II. This of the tankiin line with but below the pulley. The float ill rises and falls with thelevel of the treating reagent in the tank and: the. indicator ll falls and rises therewith in sliding engage- The indicator, which best'appears in Fig. 4, visibly shdws the level of the treating reagent, indicated 555.1; Ia, from the outside of the tank.

in elevation, on an enlarged 'float Ill. The other bar is fixed to the sidewall pipe'within the tank and a cent the upper end of 4 includes a. casing A short horizontal length of pipe I4 ekten the upright side wall of the tank 5 ashort distance above thebottom thereof as appears in Fig. 1. .An elbow I5 is fixed to that end or the this elbowhas a swing joint connection with a second elbow. |6.- A feeder pipe I1 is operatively connected at one end to the elbow l6 and is provided at its other and inlet end with a strainer l8. The feeder pipe may be provided near the strainer with an drifice fitting H which determines the flow of reagent through said pipe. A float 26 is operatively connected to the pipe I! near the strainer to support the inlet end of said pipe at the proper submerged depth below the level of the reagent in the tank. A transverse bar 2| in the tank 5 limits the downward swing of the feeder pipe so that said pipe cannot swing into a position wherein the inlet end thereof will be disposed at an elevation lower than that end connected to the elbow l6.

From the above, it isapparent that the inlet or strainerend of the feeder pipe rises and falls with the level of the reagent in the tank 5 because oi the swing joint connection between the elbows I5 and I6. g

22 indicates a centrifugal pump having an inlet side 23 and a discharge side 24. Pipes 25 and 26 are connected to said sides of the pump as appears in Fig. 1. The pipe 25 leads from a supply of untreated water and the pipe 26 leads either to a reservoir for treated water or to the place of use of such water. The pump 22 is driven by means of an electric motor which best appears diagrammatically at 21 in Fig. 3.

A pipe 28 operatively connects that end of the pipe |4 outside of the tank 5 with the water inlet pipe 25. In the pipe 28 near the pipe 25 is a normally open, manually operable valve 29 for closing 011' the passage .for treating reagent through the pipe 28 when necessary.

A selt-closing but electrically opening valve 36 is disposed inthe pipe 28 near the .tank 5. 'As best appears in Fig. 3, this valve, which is of known construction, includes a casing.3| having a partition 32 with a passageway 33 therein. The partition is formed about the top end of said passageway with a valve seat 32a. The'casing 3| supports a housing 34in which is located a magnetic coil'35. In the coil is a movable armature 36, that has a lost motion connection with a valve plug 31 that functions to openand close the passageway 33 and thereby. control the flow of passage of treating reage'nt |3 from-the tank 5 into the pipe 25. energized, it attracts the armature 36 thereinto. This lifts the valve plug 31 from oil. the seat tangentially through andis fixed in a part of f disposed as to be :48.- .Thislever is 'the casing,1at a engagedtherewithiis one end of a plungerflr Said plunger has a sliding .guided engagement in apart of the casing-and its outer end is so normally engaged by a lever pivoted at its bottom end to point and thetop end of said lever carries a roller '56. The roller 56 normally lyoverhanging the plane of the adjacent side on the graduated bar one end by a conductor 51.

. through conductor 62,

When the coil 35 is 32a to permit the passage of treating agent conductors 4|a,4'2a and 43a lead from'the-con- Y from a suitable source of current supply- Three trol to thejmotor 21. 'By meansof said control 46 the motor 21 maybestarted and stopped at will.

44k; in which is provided a gaged upon the seat 32a.

energize and start the motor 21.

Y "thepip 25 to make 44 indicatesa normally'elmd 7' supported upon the side wall of the tank 5 adjathe graduated bar -|2; It

of the indicator II that has the sliding bearing I2. A stop 5| on the switch casing 44a limits the swinging movement of the lever 48 away from the casing 44 to dispose the roller 56 in the position mentioned.

In Fig. 3 appears the wiring diagram for the circuit of the motor 21, the valve 36 and the switch 44. The circuit includes a terminal block 52 upon which are mounted terminal bars 53, 54, 55 and 56 respectively, the two terminal bars 54 and 55 being electrically connected together at One side of the coil 35 of the valve 36 is connected 58 to'the terminal bar 53 and this bar is connected by a conductor 59 to the fixed contact 45 of the switch 44. The movable contact 46 of said switch 44 is connected by a conductor 66 to the terminal bar 56 which in turn is connected by a conductor 61 with the conductor Ma. The other side of the coil 35 is connected by a conductor 62 with the terminal block 54 and the terminal block 55 is connected by a conductor I or open, iti's apparentthat even though the switch is closed, the coil 35 of the valve 36 is out of circuit and therefore, the plug 3l'is en- I This closes oh the valve passage 33 so that no reagent can flow through the pipe 28.

Assume that'the demand for treated water is such that it is necessary to start the motor 21 to meet that demand. The control or starter 46 is'then closed, either manually or automatically in accordance with that demand. When so closed, current flows from the conductors 4|, 42 and 43 to thejconductors 4|a, 42a and 43a to Current also flows from conductor 4|a through conductor 6|,

terminal bar 56, conductor-66, through the closed switch 44, conductor 59, terminal I bar 53, conductor 58 to and through the coil 35 and then terminal bar 54, conductor 51, terminal bar 55, conductor 63a to conductor This energizes the coil 35 to attract its armature so as to lift the plug 3'! from its seat 320. This opens the passage 33in the valve 36 so as to permit-the passage of reagent through the pipe 28. This assumes of course that the valve 28 is open. Under these conditions, the suction action or "pull of the water now flowing through the pipe 25, pump 22 and pipe 26, induces a flow of treating reagent from the tank 5 through the feeder pipe I'I, elbows l5 and I6, pipe l4 and pipe 28 into the pipe 25. Said reagent is thoroughly mixed with the untreated water flowing through the same fit for its intended use.

It isap'parent 'that'as thetreatin'g agent II the tank v5. is consumed in use, its level will the'inlet end -'ofthe feeder will descend in accordance with the descent of said level. As the level 49 below the plunger 41 assumes a position slightby a conductor a will have reached such a agent ii in the tank descends to be cdnsidered only in the rises and falls with the level and which means aura-11a of the-reagent in the tank 6 descends, the indl-. cater II will move upwardly onthebar l2 toward the switch lever 40.

. Assume in one of the operations of the pump 22 that due to the consumption of the reagent and to the inattention of the operator to his'duty in maintaining a proper level of reagent in the tank 5, the level of the reagent is approaching one wherein the strainer I8 of the feeder pipe II will soon be exposed to atmosphere. Should this occur,-air-will be drawn into the pipe22 22 will become air-bound which, to avoid. As this low ched, the indicator ll position on its bar I2 as to have engaged the roller 50 of the switch lever 42 so as to cause the contacts'IS-JU of f be separated coil 25 out of circuit so as to be whereupon plug 3! will engage upon the seat 220 and close the valve to the passage of reagent or air therethrough. Thus the pump 22 may keep on running without damage but the water passed thereby will not be treated. When the attendant again fllls the tank 5 with water'and adds the chemical, the level of the reagent in the tank I will rise. The indicator ii then descends, the bar l2 and the switch 44 will again automatically close to restore the parts to operative position ready for the next operation.

When the motor control or starter ll is open, the entire plant is in its at res condition and the ,valve 30 is closed: As soon as the motor starter is closed, the valve 20 opens and the plant starts into operation. If the level of reto predetermined "is closed even though the Therefore, no air can level of reagent is approa low level, the valve pump 22 is in operation. be taken into the pump.

While in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the. form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is illustrative sense. so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1. In a water treating apparatus, the combination of a tank for holding a supply of reagent fluid, a pipe through which water may flow, a conduit connecting said tank and said pipe and through which conduit reagent fluid may flow from said tank into said pipe, a valve in said conduit and including electrical means for normally holdin other means for closing said valve when said electrical means is deenergized, a circuit for said electrical means, a switch mounted upon the outside of said tank and disposed in said circuit and normally holding the same closed, a member mounted for guided movement on said tank adiacent saidswitch, and means in sa d tank that of the fluid therein is operatively connected to said member, said member at a predetermined level or fluid in said holding means operating the closes to prevent the passage of said conduit.

2. In a water treating apparatus,the combination of a tank for holding a. supply of reagent into said the same open when energized and tosaidfloatastomove from sale tank mu; said pipe, in electrically operable valve in said can uit for controlling the passage of fluid therethrough and which valve.

is normally open, a circuit for said valve, a switch in said circuit and including an actuating 'member, a float in said tank arranged to rise and fall with the level of the fluid therein, and fluid level indicating means having a guided movement in a path disposed in operative relation with respect to said switch and so connected in one direction with the direction with the fall rise and in the opposite in the fall of said float of said float, said means through said actuating member causing said switch to so. ailect said circuit that said valve closes ofl said conduit before the level of said fluid falls to such an extent as to uncover said inlet end of theconduit and permit air to-enter I and pass through the latter.

' conduit having an.

- operating 3. In a water .treating 'apparatus, the combination of a tank for holding a supply of reagent fluid, a pipe through which water may flow, a

tank and having an outlet end connected to said pipe and through which conduit fluid may pass from" said tank into said pipe, an electrically operable valve in said conduit for controlling the passage of fluid therethrough and which valve is normally open, a circuit for said valve, a switch mounted on the tank and including an actuating member, a' movable the switch actuating member, means on the tank providing a guided path of movement for'said movable member in operative relation to said actuating member, and means connecting said movable member to said float so as to move in accordance with the rise and fall of said float, said movable member in the fall of said tank, fluid relation with respec switch to so afiect said circuit that said valve fluid through water may flow, a"

said float engaging said actuating member as it approaches the switch .to cause the latter to so affect said circuit that. said valve closes of! said conduit before the level of said fluid falls to that extent which will uncover said inlet end of the conduit and permit air to enter and pass through the latter. I

4. In a water treating apparatus, the combination of a tank for holding a supply ofreagent fluid, a water circulating pump having a suction side and a' discharge side, a waterpipe connected to said suction side of the pump, a conduit having an inlet end opening into the tank and having an outlet end connected to said pipe and through which reagent is drawn from said tank into said pipe under theaction of said pump, an electrically operable valve in said conduit for controlling the passage of reagent therethrough and which valve is normally open, a circuit for said valve, a switch in said circuit and including an actuating memben-a float in said tank and rising and falling with the level of the fluid in level indicating means having a ma path disposed in operative t to said switch and so connected to said float as to move in accordance with the rise and fall of said float, said means in the fall of said float engaging said operating member of the switch as it'apprcaches the same to cause said switch to so affect said circuit'that said valve closes oiI said conduit before the level of said fluid falls cover said inlet end of the conduit and thereby prevent air from passing through the conduit and pipe and then into the pump to produce an airbound condition. thereof.

5. In a water treating appar guided movement atus, the combinainlet end opening into said member for engaging and to that extent which will untion oi a tank for fluid, a pipe through which water may flow, a conduit having an inlet tank and havingan' outlet end connec pipe and through which conduit flui from said tank into said pipe.

tothe passage of fluid therethrough and which valve is normally open, a circuit for said valve, switch means for said circuit and including an actuating member, a float in said tank arranged to rise and fall with the level of ha ing .a suided movement inavpath dis v in operative relation to at least a part of said switch means and so connected to said float as to move in one direction with the rise and in the opposite direction with the fall of. said float, said means in the fall of said float, through'said actuating member causin said switch to so aflect said circuit that said valve closes 01! said conduit before A e level of said fluid falls to such an extent as to uncover the inlet end of the conduit and permit air to enter and pass through the latter.

6. in a water treating apparatus, the combination of a tank for holding a supp y of reagent fluid, a pipe through which water holding a supply oi reagent may P8881. an electrically operable valve in said conduit for controlling (the end opening into said 7 from said tank erable valve in fluid therein. means direction with 4 falls to such an extent is normallyopen, a circuit for and fall with thelevei of conduit having an inlet end opening into said tank' pip and having 'an outlet end connected to the and throughwhich conduit fluid may pass into said pipe, an electrically opsaid conduit for controlling the Passage of fluid therethrough and which-valve said vaivem switch including an actuatdtank arranged to rise means for said circuit and ing member, a float in means adapted to cause operation or the switch through its operating member, one'oi. said means having a suided movement in a path dispoM in wan-ma n. HINSCH.

fluid therein, a second 

